2018 Kia Sorento
The Verdict
The 2018 Kia Sorento has 252 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (115 complaints) and body (73 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 48/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Kia Sorento, consider the 2021 model year which has 96% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2021 has 96% fewer complaints
View the 2021 Kia Sorento dashboard →
Klunk Score: Proceed with Caution
About average for complaint volume. Research the specific issues before buying.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 2
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The cowl crossbar that connects to the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) steering column may be improperly welded, allowin...
Risk
If the steering column separates, it can cause a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the cowl crossbar, free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The side curtain air bags on these vehicles have a component that may detach during deployment of the inflatable curtain ai...
Risk
If the component detaches during deployment, it may enter the passenger compartment and be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall began on December 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at ...
Reported Aug 12, 2017
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
| Year | Body | Brakes | Electrical | Engine | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 39 | 21 | 42 | 192 | 14 |
| 2004 | 57 | 5 | 28 | 100 | 30 |
| 2005 | 52 | 9 | 106 | 115 | 25 |
| 2006 | 29 | 13 | 81 | 96 | 23 |
| 2007 | 29 | 21 | 72 | 13 | 19 |
| 2008 | 52 | 21 | 78 | 47 | 19 |
| 2009 | 11 | 7 | 24 | 4 | 9 |
| 2011 | 507 | 94 | 358 | 325 | 226 |
| 2012 | 118 | 67 | 163 | 487 | 31 |
| 2013 | 205 | 64 | 143 | 528 | 32 |
| 2014 | 286 | 58 | 181 | 421 | 33 |
| 2015 | 197 | 25 | 128 | 379 | 19 |
| 2016 | 320 | 17 | 116 | 728 | 61 |
| 2017 | 186 | 18 | 158 | 420 | 17 |
| 2018 | 73 | 6 | 55 | 115 | 3 |
| 2019 | 133 | 11 | 72 | 182 | 25 |
| 2020 | 32 | 5 | 15 | 69 | 12 |
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
| 2022 | 58 | 11 | 13 | 60 | 43 |
| 2023 | 43 | 9 | 20 | 33 | 13 |
| 2024 | 15 | 5 | 9 | 7 | 2 |
| 2025 | 26 | 5 | 14 | 21 | 11 |
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
The High Pressure Fuel Pump failed while driving on highway. I took it to the Kia dealership and they told me of the issue. There were no prior warnings of issues Kia recalled all 2019-2020 kia sorentos with this same issue. This component should not have failed at 63k miles and Kia should extend their warranty to previous models with the same High Pressure Fuel Pump problems under The High-Pressure Fuel Pump Warranty Extension (WTY034).
The abs module has failed. Yes vehicle is available for inspections if wanted and would be appreciated. Had it scanned by dealership and it’s too expensive to fix. Lights on are abs. Traction control. Auto hold. Autonomous braking. Thank you
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. There was smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact exited the freeway and waited for AAA to tow the vehicle to the residence. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the oil pan switch needed to be replaced. The oil pan switch was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and asked the contact if the vehicle had regular oil changes. The contact was then informed that there was an oil leak underneath the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 118,000.
I am a working parent filing a formal complaint against Kia America and Classic kia of Carrollton for non-compliance with the Theta II Class Action Settlement mandates. My vehicle experienced a qualifying engine failure and is currently held at the dealership. The dealership is actively refusing to provide a mandatory free loaner vehicle and is delaying the 5-minute diagnostic scan. Kia Corporate is refusing to authorize an alternative direct-bill rental line without the scan. This corporate bottleneck has left a working parent and a school-aged child completely stranded, threatening my employment. The manufacturer is violating a court-ordered settlement. I am in need of a vehicle and its unacceptable to expect me to pay out of pocket which I cannot afford, for a defect caused by the manufacture, not the customer.
My wife and I were Driving when I tried to stop and the brakes failed. Within seconds the vehicle caught fire in the engine compartment. I had to slam the transmission into park cause the doors would not open. When my wife tried to escape out the passenger side the flames came into the cabin towards her. I then opened my door and then had to help my wife escape out the driver's side door. Within minutes the car was engulfed in flames. The fire department arrived and it took a while to extinguish. The vehicle is totaled.
I have replaced my rotors and my brakes soon as I got the car I’ve had the car for a month now I was in a major accident. Someone walked in front of my car. My emergency brake system did not work my rotors and my brakes, have been scrubbing ever since I got the car. And I don’t know how to fix the situation. The brakes are still going out and sound very horrible. I can’t keep replacing them because I don’t think they need to be replaced. Is something wrong with the car. My Insurance adjuster name is Brandon Brooks [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I had the car for just 2 years and it's giving me a lot of problems the car smells like gas it has a gas leak the breaks don't work and the electrical system don't work properly
2018 Kia Sorento, under 88,000 miles, with Theta II engine defect. KSDS update installed. Oil consumption issues requiring adding at least one liter of oil every 1,000 miles in between regular oil changes/ maintenance. Oil warning lamp does not illuminate at all or only blinks on for a second then stays off, even when oil is less than 1 liter. Noticed slight jerking/hesitation at acceleration for a few days, then experienced shaking and heard vibrations when breaking and idling. Within a few minutes, MIL appeared with audible warning, "Take this vehicle to a Kia dealership." Immediately parked car. Towed to Kia dealership. No record of DTC P1326 found, which would have qualified vehicle for new engine under PI1802 Y/Z Theta II Extended Warranty. Diagnostic found misfiring cylinder and fouled spark plug. Technician in the video stated "oil consumption." Due to absence of P1326 code, service manager suggests we replace fouled plug and return with the vehicle when the same issue happens again. This does not follow Kia's own guidelines in PI1802 Y/Z campaign for a couple of reasons. First, activation of the MIL in conjunction with the audio warning indicates the Knock Sensor P1326 code should have been generated and stored, but the warning system must have malfunctioned. Service dept. did not to inspect the knock sensor harness for damage or oil saturation which could have kept the code from registering. Second, Service dept. did not consider shaking and vibration as "engine noise," which would have required them to perform a BCT or test for connecting rod bearing noise, providing a pathway to request Techline PWA approve replacing the engine under warranty. Kia's Product Improvement Campaign for Theta II engines ought to prevent injury or death resulting from catastrophic engine failure. My vehicle presents clear evidence of engine failure progression at different stages. Rather than navigate the warranty via a Techline, Kia has advised me to continue driving.
My 2018 Kia Sorento has developed excessive oil consumption consistent with the known engine defects affecting Kia’s Theta II engines. The vehicle began consuming oil rapidly without warning, despite regular maintenance. This issue did not appear until after 100,000 miles, which is common for this defect. The sudden loss of oil creates a serious safety hazard, including engine stalling or failure while driving. Kia dealerships have acknowledged the symptoms but stated that because my vehicle is outside the warranty, I must pay for the oil consumption test and would be responsible for the full cost of an engine replacement. Kia has issued multiple Technical Service Bulletins related to excessive oil consumption in these engines, and many owners have experienced the same problem. This is a manufacturer‑related defect that develops over time and poses a safety risk to drivers and passengers.
I've never had a problem staying awake driving. I don't have this problem in my vehicles or other vehicles. Every time I drove the car. I could not stay awake. I ve driven the car about 5xs. I would fall asleep and not even realize it. Now fell asleep driving the car two nights ago. No warnings went off and I drove over one lane and off into the center medium. No lane change warnings went off. But I truly believe there's something more going on with the car that's making people fall asleep. My neighbor rode with me to the store in it (14 miles ) she was falling asleep. She wasn't one bit tired when we left my house. Once we got out of the car and we're changing the oil on it, we walked over to the store a couple blocks away. We were fine. Got back in the car. Started driving it home and both of us were falling asleep. There was something wrong with this car
Sunroof was working properly, no issues. I parked car with sunroof open and when i restarted car it started closing extremely slow. Technicians have tried resetting but no luck. This is a safety issue that has been repeatitive on KIA Suvs since 2012 or 2014. Techs cannot reset sunroof and last KIA I owned was 2014 had same issue plus drainage hole issues. A panoramic sunroof malfunction can be a safety issue for a few reasons: 1. Emergency situations: In the event of an accident or emergency, it may be necessary to quickly evacuate the vehicle. A stuck panoramic sunroof could prevent passengers from being able to exit through the opening, potentially putting their safety at risk. 2. Ventilation and air circulation: On hot days, being unable to open the sunroof can lead to uncomfortable and potentially dangerous conditions inside the vehicle due to poor ventilation. This can increase the risk of heat exhaustion or dehydration for passengers. 3. Excessive heat build-up: A closed sunroof can also lead to excessive heat build-up inside the vehicle, which can be particularly dangerous for children, elderly individuals, or pets who may be more sensitive to high temperatures. 4. Visibility issues: A sunroof that is stuck closed can also affect visibility for the driver, especially when driving in bright sunlight or in adverse weather conditions such as heavy rain or fog. Overall, a malfunctioning panoramic sunroof can impact the overall safety and comfort of passengers and drivers, highlighting the importance of ensuring that all vehicle components are in proper working condition. KIA refuses to address the issue and needs to take accountability for this ongoing issue that each model has continued to have.
My car for the last 2 years has had multiple malfunctions with misfiring and replacement of head gaskets, pistons and more. Not to mention consistence oil concerns. On two occasions my family and I had to have the vehicle towed home over 200 miles because the car was not driving well. I have a [XXX] ghter who was with us at the time. The only warning lamp that ever triggered was the check engine. In October is when I was informed about a recall that was on my vehicle from KIA the corporation and I was told to have it towed to Kia in [XX [XXX] ey would replace my engine if the rod barring failed; and it did. Kia refused to pay for the engine and reported that I was misinformed. In December of 2025 I went through the Attorney General for mitigation to try and fix the engine- However, Kia reported because the engine manufacturer recall was not updated prior to October 30th or 2020 it was considered failure on the consumers part for not updating their address. However, I have documentation that the vehicle was sign for by myself on December 2nd of 2020. I have the car fax reporting that the car was surrendered by the previous owner on October 28th, 2020. Therefore, I was not the own when this manufacturer warrantee recall was in place or when it expired. So, I do not feel since i did not own the car when this was to be completed, that I should be responsible. Not to mention I am paying on the loan that financed this vehicle for the last 7 months while it has sat at KIA in [XXX] [XXX] ION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Paint is peeling on the roof of my Kia by the windshield. No incident has happened this is a manufacturer defect.. My car has never been involved in a car accident. No incidents.
The vehicle’s ignition system began malfunctioning immediately after a recall-related service (Campaign CS2312 – ignition cylinder protector installation) performed on January 9, 2026. Prior to this service, the vehicle had no ignition or electrical issues. After the repair, the ignition key became difficult to turn, and the vehicle intermittently failed to start. Additionally, multiple electrical components began to fail intermittently, including the infotainment screen shutting off, the air conditioning system stopping, and windshield wipers not operating at times. These failures create a safety concern, as they may affect visibility, driver awareness, and vehicle operability while driving. The issue was reported to the dealership, and their own inspection confirmed that the ignition key cylinder is sticking. The vehicle remains available for inspection, and the condition persists.
In April, 2025, my vehicle's engine power was significantly reduced while on the highway. I could not keep pace with traffic. My mechanic said there were recalls for the turbo engine but my car was not included. I paid forbthe part and repair. Less than a year later and the car began burning a lot of oil very fast. I add oil weekly. The car has again been losing power and there is still no recall for my car's engine. There is burning and smoke coming from the engine because of an engine oil leak Jiffy Lube detected yesterday, Mar h 11, 2026. The problem began at around 65k miles and now has 88k miles.
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started shaking and making a rough sound. The vehicle hesitated while accelerating and lost motive power. A piston failed, causing oil to spray out with enough force to damage the catalytic converter. The vehicle was driven to the dealer for an unknown recall repair, but found to have issues with the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.
I have less than 100,000 miles on my 2018 Kia sorento. When I reached probably 50,000 miles this car went DOWN HILL. I feel like I’ve replaced everything on this car. Now every oil change was saying no oil on the dip stick, so I take it to the Kia dealership. They tell me that I need an ENTIRE engine. My car is less than 100,000 miles. I saw something that said if it was under that threshold, it could be covered but they said they couldn’t find anything. This car has been failing me. I still owe HALF of the car, what it’s not even worth on carfax anymore. AND the engine cost is exactly 50% of what I owe on this car. I don’t know what to do, but never buy a Kia again. This is a hazard for everyone around me the gas it is putting into the air. I don’t know what else to do. I even paid them to do an oil change and the oil light lit up as SOON as I left the parking lot. There are no leaks whatsoever. I even had someone from the Kia engine settlement verify my VIN # and told me that it was eligible and she told me that everything would be taken care of at the dealership without charge. She then told me to wait for the dealership to call and let me know because I was on hold while they were talking. But right after I received a call asking how I was going to pay for it because they could not find anyway to cover it. I don’t know how to ask for a second opinion. Kia is never available to speak with or try to resolve the issue. This has just been a nightmare.
While on the road driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle started to "bog" and losing power and/or acceleration. Had to immediately drive off the road as there were several vehicles behind. As soon as driving off the road, the vehicle died down and would not start again. The check engine light came on. After several minutes the vehicle started again and drove to a secure area to call the tow truck. If the vehicle died down while in traffic, it would have caused an accident involving several vehicles. If it happened on the freeway, it would have caused a "major accident". The vehicle was towed to the vehicle dealership. It was determined by the vehicle dealership that the "high pressure fuel pump" was faulty and had to be replaced. It took four (4) months for the replacement part to arrive. Another similar dealer said that there were "55 other vehicle owners" waiting on the same part nationwide. It must be an "inherent problem" with the high pressure fuel pump. After replacing the high pressure fuel pump, the vehicle was operating normally.
On January 30, 2026, I was driving with my daughter from Kansas City to Platte City when the vehicle experienced a sudden and catastrophic mechanical failure. As we approached our exit, the engine unexpectedly revved and the vehicle rapidly decelerated to approximately 30 mph. When I attempted to accelerate, the vehicle was unable to properly gain speed. Upon reaching the top of a hill at an intersection, the engine completely shut off and the vehicle became disabled in the roadway. The vehicle was towed and inspected by two independent repair facilities. Both repair facilities confirmed catastrophic internal engine failure. A bore scope inspection identified a broken valve in cylinder 4, along with severe internal engine damage. The first repair facility estimated the cost of engine replacement at $9,600. The second repair facility confirmed the same diagnosis and recommended full replacement of the long block assembly. Copies of the inspection reports and repair estimates are attached. Due to the extent of the internal damage and the high cost of repair, the vehicle is considered mechanically inoperable and beyond reasonable repair. The cost of repair is substantial and exceeds our ability to proceed with repairs. At the time of the mechanical failure, approximately two years remained on the finance agreement, with an outstanding loan balance of approximately $12,000. As a result of this catastrophic mechanical failure, the vehicle is unusable, and a financial deficiency remains on the loan. Although the engine carried a warranty, we were informed that the specific failure was caused by internal component failure and material shedding, which is not covered under the warranty terms. Supporting documentation, including diagnostic findings, repair estimates, and photographs of the failed engine components, are attached. Due to the sudden and catastrophic mechanical failure, the vehicle has sustained a total mechanical loss and is no longer operable.
The contact owned a 2018 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, another vehicle had abruptly attempted to merge into the opposite traveling lane and caused the front end bumper to crash into the Front Driver-side door of the other vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed away to a local tow yard. A Traffic Accident Information form was filed by the local police department. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the opposite insurance provider, and the contact was not deemed at fault. In addition, the contact was taken out of the vehicle safely by paramedics and was taken to a nearby UgentCare where he sought medical attention for neck and hand pains and severe mental distress. The local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.
252 total